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“When this is all said and done, we need to sit down and meet her. She’s family, after all.”
I look at my brother and agree. “If she wants that, yes. But I…”
“Yeah, I know, big brother.” He hugs me and whispers in my ear. “You’ll make it right. Go untie her. I’ll go locate John and find out what else has been a damn cover-up.”
“Joey, I’m sorry.” It’s a hard pill to swallow, but I owe him at least that.
He leaves without answering. I look down at the other file and the vial of a mushroom. Along with it is a note in my mother’s handwriting.
Fourteen
I lie here,talking to Duchess. The pretty mare continues to eat as I jibber-jabber away about how wonderful she is. The stable door opens, and I only hear one set of boots walking toward me.
As the stall door opens, I ready myself emotionally to not expect anything from Jason. It would be unwise to think he would see reason and admit I was right. I peer up at him, and he looks pissed.
Uh oh.
“You fucking knew.” He throws a piece of paper at me and gets on his knees. With a quick flick of his wrist and a knife in his hand, he cuts the ropes off my arms.
Picking up the letter from Lucinda, I hold it to my chest. “What is it exactly that I am supposed to have known?”
“Don’t play dumb. You knew about us and never came around.”
“Oh.” Shit, yeah, this isn’t good. “You’re right. I did. But how did you expect me to come around with your father threatening me every step of the way?”
He doesn’t yank me to him, but he doesn’t cut the rope from around my neck. “Read the letter, Crucinda.” Jason stares at me, and I fidget. Uncertainty swirls with me. I thought when he found the evidence, he’d be happy, and we could finally talk things out without anger.
“Read it!” His voice is stern as he yanks the rope around my neck. “Now.”
My hands are shaking, but I ignore them.
“Dear Cru, Everything you said to me the night of Jason being born came true. Ricardo married me for your father’s money only after I gave him three sons. Years of me carrying his fashion empire have led to lies, backstabbing, and cheating. I should have come to you and asked you for help sooner. No, scratch that. I should have apologized before now. I’m sorry.”
My voice cracks, and I look at Jason. The resemblance to his mother finally settles inside of me. It’s his father’s demeanor looking back at me. Taking a deep breath, I continue.
“My boys aren’t safe anymore. The plan had been to go to Spain without them, but Ricardo has gone mad. It was wrong of me to involve you, and I’m appalled at what he did, but I can’t stop him. Meet me at the willow tree at the park on the seventh, please. This will be the last time I ask anything of you. I know I don’t have the right to even darken your step, but I beg you. If not for me, the boys. I’ll always be grateful you loved me enough, even when I never returned it. Luci.”
Pressing the note to my chest, I don’t hide the tears. “Yes. I knew about y’all. It was going to be a clean break for you four. What Lucinda didn’t know was that I was going to go with y’all.”
Confusion crosses Jason’s face, and I give him a teary-eyed smile. “I’m guessing you found the folder 101 Dalmatians and Lucinda?”
I move to get off my knees, and Jason helps me up. I wasn’t sure if he would, but then again, I shouldn’t expect anything from him.
“Yeah. Joey has it along with everything else. Why…”
Interrupting him, I wave a hand in the air nonchalantly. “Like you, I have made mistakes. Instead of taking you boys, I destroyed your father’s one thing he loved more than all of you. His empire.”
We stare at each other for a moment, and he takes a sharp breath. “He killed our mother.” He roars at me, and Duchess whinnies.
“Don’t make any sudden moves. She could stomp on you.” I move slowly toward Duchess. “It’s alright, sweet girl. He didn’t mean to scare you. Jason’s found some things that have upset him. He will not hurt you.”
I stroke her mane, and she calms down. She nudges her head into my chest, and I chuckle. “Yes, there we go, girl. Everything is alright, Duchess.”
My sweet horse finally relaxes, and Jason seems to be calmer. Hobbling over to him, I hug him.
“At least you know the truth now.” That’s the only thing I can say. It doesn’t help his parents are dead or that he’ll never get the revenge he was seeking. Yet, the truth will set you free, so he has that now.
Jason holds on to me, and there’s that peaceful feeling again. Stroking his back with my hands, I try to find solace in the knowledge he isn’t hurting me any longer. The rope around my neck loosens, and he steps back from me.
